Lock



P 1938. H. VAN c. HOLLAND 2,129,324

Loox

Filed Dec. 19, 1935 3nventor Henry VanCa/i 0//md ad waw'w Gttomeg Patented Sept. 6, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOCK York

Application December 19, 1935, Serial No. 55,254

2 Claims.

This invention relates to locks and more par ticularly to looks of the reciprocating bolt type in which a plurality of bolts are employed. Specifically, the lock comprises a number of parts designed to be actuated successively, the operation of opening the lock depending on proper actuation of the parts by a suitable key.

In the embodiment of the invention herein illustrated the lock is applied to the meter mechanism of a so called prepaid postage machine. In addition to its function as an unlocking means the key also acts to hold the meter in positive engagement with the machine base better to insure engagement of the operating parts.

It is recognized that expert locksmiths by feeling with suitable implements, are frequently able to gage the lift of pins in locks wherein a plurality of reciprocable pins and rotary tumblers are used. It is also well known that certain types of reciprocating bolt locks may be picked with little or no difficulty. However, in most cases, it is only necessary that two suitable implements be employed to get the proper feel of the lock thus to enable one to open the look without a key or to gage the measurements for duplicating the proper key. In order to obviate the possibility of enabling a person to open the look by obtaining the feel of only two parts the present lock utilizes no less than three parts, each "of which must be manipulated, and in the proper sequence, before the mechanism can be unlocked. Thus, it is practically impossible with two hands to obtain the feel of the combined parts, the lock on this account hindering unauthorized actuation.

The invention is described in detail in the following description thereof in which reference is had to the accompanying drawing wherein Fig. 1 is a partial side elevation of a postage A meter machine to which the lock is applied, parts thereof being broken away to illustrate the respective positions of the parts;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front elevation of the lock shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the lock;

Fig. 4 is a partial front elevation of a modified form of lock;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the end of the key; and

Fig. '7 is a section taken on line 1-! of Fig. 1;

In the drawing the base of the postage machine is indicated at l I, the mechanism for driving the parts not being shown because it forms no part of the present invention. It is sufficient to state that a motor or hand crank operates through gear I2 to turn shaft l3 which in turn rotates shaft I4. A suitable connection between shafts l3 and I4 is indicated at I5, this connection in the present instance comprising an elongated key on the end of one shaft and a slot in the end of the other shaft. The meter is housed in housing i6 and is permanently geared to shaft [4. This housing and the meter contained therein are removable from the machine base and operating mechanism attached to the base.

It is to be understood at the outset that, although the lock is shown and described as forming part of a specific machine, viz; a postage metering machine, it is in nowise limited in its use to a machine of this character. However, to enable a clear understanding of its use and operation it is illustrated in its application to this type of machine. It is therefore appropriate to state that, when the meter is removed from its base, the shaft I4 is locked against unauthorized use of the printing mechanism attached to the shaft, the die normally being approximately removed from an opening I1 in the housing when the shaft is locked.

The principal members comprising the lock are a plurality of similarly shaped reciprocable bars l8, l9 and a bell-crank lever 2| preferably disposed between bars l8 and I9 and pivoted on stud22. Each of bars l8 and I9 is provided with slots 23 cooperating with studs 22 and 24 to constrain the bars to move in a limited rectilinear path when the bars are moving to or from looking position. Furthermore, each bar is notched, as at 25, a pin 26 on lever 2| coopcrating with the notches when the bars are in looking position to hold the bars in this position. Each bar has an angular projection or finger 21 thereon. Arm or finger 28 on lever 2i, disposed between the bar fingers, is so disposed with respect to these fingers when the bars are in looking position that its edge is spaced from the edges of fingers 21 as shown in Fig. 2. This is to insure movement of lever 21 by a key prior to lifting of the bars by the key as will be hereinafter explained.

In Fig. 2 each bar is provided with a foot 29 engaging a notch 3| in each of two similar rocker levers 32 pivoted at 33 on the back of the meter housing back plate 34. A second notch 35 in each lever 32 cooperates with fingers 36 in each of two independently movable bolts 31, 31, the latter members being guided in a slot 38 in boss 38 formed integral with the back plate. As shown in Fig. 2, bolts 31, 31 engage a slot 4| in shaft I4, thereby preventing rotation of the shaft. Assuming the normal position of the parts to be as shown in Fig. 2, that is, in locking position, it will be seen that bars l8 and I9 are held in this position by springs 42, 43 and that lever 2| is maintained in the position shown by spring 44.

In Fig. 4 the bars l8, l9 are in substantial alignment with shaft 4, thus eliminating the interposed members 32, 31, 31; the bars serving as looking bolts. In this form of the invention the bars directly engage the shaft and the lock is represented in its simplest embodiment.

The key for actuating the locking mechanism is shown in Fig. 6 as a cylindrical shank 45 having a key head 45 thereon, the head comprising a plurality of spaced parallel plate-like portions 41 connected by a web 48 at one side thereof but open along its other edge. These plates are so spaced that they are adapted to cooperate with fingers 21, 28 to lift the same when the key is turned. Fingers 21, 28 lie between a plurality of parallel plates 49 between which are spacers the thickness of the latter being substantially that of fingers 27, 28 so that the fingers and plate-like portions. of the key head may engage each other only if they register with each in a definite predetermined relation. Plates 49 and spacers 5| are secured to back plate 34 by pins 52. The back plate is provided with a suitably shaped key-hole 53 to permit insertion of the key. Concentric with the key hole is an arcuate projection or abutment 54 disposed between the key-hole and fingers 21, 28 to prevent ready access to the fingers except by means of the key. It will be seen from Fig. 6 that the plate-like portions 47 extend from the shank 45 to the outer edge of the key whereas the plates. 4'! have a depth substantially equal to that of web 48. A groove 48' is thus provided to permit the key to be rotated without interference from projection In Fig. 1 it will be seen that shank 45 has reduced portions at 55 and 56. The shoulders at the ends of portions 55 are engageable with pin 51 secured to .a part of base or housing I I to limit longitudinal movement and removal of the key from base H. Spring 58 normally forces the key to the right in this figure. The other reduced part of shank 45 is threaded at 59 to receive nut 5| and is splined to a thumb piece 62 to permit relative longitudinal movement of piece 62 and the shank. The shank is turned by the thumb piece, however. A short pin 63 on piece 62 is adapted to enter either of two holes 64, B5, in the back of housing M. It will be seen that these holes are approximately 300 apart corresponding with the degree of rotation necessary to move the key from its initial position indicated in Fig. l with the key bit disposed vertically above the shank to the position shown in Fig. 4 to release the locking bars. Since springs 42, 43 and 44 normally tend to hold the bars in their locking position it is evident that pin 63 must engage hole 65 to hold the bars in their released position.

When the meter housing is to be mounted on the base the key is turned to the position indicated in Fig. 1. The meter is then held in a position where key-hole 53 registers with the key head and the parts of coupling 5 properly engaged. Thumb nut 59 is turned to draw the key head against back plate 34. The meter is thus held firmly to the base.

When it is desired to release the locking mechanism, thumb piece 62 is turned to rotate the key through approximately 300 from its initial position in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4. The key head first engages. finger 28 on lever 2 I, releasing pin 2| from notch 25. Further rotation of the key brings the key head into engagement with fingers 21 on bars I8 and I9, raising the bars which, in turn, through rockers 32, release bolts 31-37 from recess 4| in shaft I4. This permits rotation of the shaft. When key 46 is rotated clockwise (Fig. 2), bars l8 and I9 are drawn down by springs 42, 43 and, due to the shape of notch 35, the projection 32' on each of the rockers 32 forces bolts 37, 31' into recess 4|, thus preventing further rotation of the shaft.

It will be apparent that, when the meter and its housing are removed from the base of the machine, the key must be turned to permit the locking bolts to fall into locking position. Similarly, in order for the machine to operate, the key must be rotated to release the bolts.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described but such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims may be made without departing from the basic invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A look comprising a pair of reciprocable members each having a notch thereon, means normally urging said members to locking position, a pivoted lever engageable with said notches when said members are in looking position, said members and said lever having projections extending angularly therefrom, and a plurality of spaced parallel plates between which said projections are disposed, the projection on said lever being engageable by a key to rock the pivoted member from engagement with said notches, the projections on said members being thereafter engaged by continued movement of the key to reciprocate said members.

2. A look comprising a pair of reciprocable members each having a notch thereon, means normally urging said members to locking position, a bell-crank lever pivotally mounted between said members, one arm of said lever having means thereon engageable with said notches when said members are in locking position, said members having projections extending angularly therefrom in substantial alignment with the other arm of said lever, and a plurality of spaced parallel plates between which said other arm and said projections .are disposed, said other arm being engageable by a key to rock the bellcrank lever from engagement with said notches, the projections on said members being thereafter engaged by continued movement of the key to reciprocate said members.

HENRY VAN COTT HOLLAND. 

